Impact Absorbing Padding System with Elastomeric Sub-surface Structure

ABSTRACT

A cushioning and impact absorbing pad system with a surface layer of thickness t, and an elastomeric sub-surface structure of height h. The sub-surface structure comprises an array of elastomeric columns wherein each column has a frustoconical column wall surrounding a central void. In other embodiments, pad thickness and column height are variable to create a surface which follows an anatomical contour.

This application is a Continuation to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/644,683 filed Jul. 7, 2017 which claimed priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 62/360243 filed Jul. 8, 2016, both of which arehereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to systems for attenuating applied force andabsorbing impact energy; more particularly, it relates to elastomericsubsurface structures and deformable structures for attenuating appliedforce and absorbing impact energy; more particularly it relates tostructures and deformable structures for attenuating applied force andabsorbing impact energy in sporting goods such as gun stock pads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, some kind of system is used to attenuate recoil impactin a shoulder held firearm. Many such systems are known. Some useclosed-cell foam or vulcanized rubber chips bound together to provide ashock absorbing structure. The problems with most conventional gun padstructures and the like is twofold. Foam and most other conventionalimpact attenuating structures actually get harder as the force appliedto them increases, and they can bottom out. In most conventionalsystems, the force absorbing mechanism begins with an immediatedisplacement at the very surface of the pad.

Dense forms of rubber do not provide bottoming-out protection and arerelatively incompressible providing little attenuation of recoil impact.

Recently our own patented advances in the field of force attenuationhave lead to a breakthrough in many if not all of the above notedproblem aspects. In the realm of materials comprised of deformable cellsranging in height from 25 to 75 mm or so, our patented technology doesan excellent job. However, as a need for ever smaller cells in thinnermaterials became apparent, it became evident to us, that our previousformulations in cell shapes, dimensions, and height ratios of morecompressible to less compressible regions would not result in impactabsorbing materials that could perform at comparable levels with ourprevious innovations. This has been especially noted in materialsintended for use as recoil padding for firearms.

Conventional padding for use next to or attached to the body hastechnology similar to that discussed above. It is common to useclosed-cell foam, gel or liquid, some rigid or more compressibledepending on the application. All of these systems exhibit thedifficulties of any padding system, many of which have been discussedabove.

There is a need for effective padding that molds and shapes to thecontours of the human body. Such impact attenuating padding may beattached to sporting equipment such as the butt end of a rifle or theinside of a helmet, or worn attached to the human body, for example, inknee, elbow or shoulder pads, or in gloves.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An impact attenuating pad for installation on the abutting end of afirearm is disclosed. The pad has a base side which is attached againstthe stock of the firearm and a user side meant to rest against theuser's body. For the purposes of this disclosure, we will refer to thebase side as the base and the user side as the top of the pad. As seenfrom the top, the pad is roughly ovoid in shape, with curving side wallsthat taper into a curved end wall at each end.

Optimally, as seen from the side, the pad tapers in thickness from oneend to the other. Advantageously the pad tapers from a total thicknessin the ranges of 0.8-1 inch (thickness shown is 0.998 inch) at one endto 1.1-1.5 inches at the other end (thickness shown is 1.295 inch).

Enclosed within the pad are a series of frustoconical shaped cylindersor columns, each enclosing a void. Each frustoconical cylinder's centralaxis rises perpendicular to the base of the pad. The tops of thecylinders are domed with the domed tops of the cylinders resting in asurface layer constituting the user side of the pad.

Optimally the cylinder walls are tapered, both inside and out, such thata cross-section of each cylinder wall is narrower at the base and widerat the top of the cylinder. At a certain point the inner wall of thecylinder ceases to be linear and curves into the domed top of thecylinder. The walls of the cylinders are narrower and more compressibleat the base and wider and less compressible as they approach the pointwhere the inner wall curves into the dome.

The outside draft angle of the cylinder walls is the angle formed by thecentral axis of the frustoconical-shaped cylinder and a line extendedalong the tapered outside wall of the cylinder within a verticalcross-section of the cylinder. Preferably this angle is greater thanfive degrees and less than eleven degrees. (Angle shown is 10 degrees.)Similarly, the inside draft angle of the cylinder is the angle formed bythe central axis of the cylinder and a line extended along the taperedinside wall of the cylinder within a vertical cross-section of thecylinder. Preferably this angle is greater than two degrees and lessthan five degrees (Angle shown is 4 degrees).

In one contemplated embodiment, the series of frustoconical shapedcylinders increase in height from one end of the pad to the other. Inthis embodiment, the circumferences of the bases of the cylinders remainconstant. At a certain point, the inner walls of the cylinder cease tobe linear and begin to be curved (curving into the domed top of thecylinder). A cross-sectional slice taken at this point will becomesmaller with each incremental increase in height because of thefrustoconical shape of the cylinders.

In a specific version of this embodiment, the series of domedfrustoconical cylinders are graduated in height. If each cylinder in theseries is numbered from 1 to n, the height h of each cylinder within theseries increases approximately according to the equation:

h=0.0116n ²−0.0362n+0.53 [+ or − up to 0.04]

This causes the radius r of the circular cross-section of the cylindertaken at the point where the inner walls cease to be linear to becomenarrower approximately according to the equation:

r=−0.0004n ²+0.0014n+0.20 [+ or − up to 0.02]

And the thickness of the cylinder wall T_(W) taken at the point wherethe inner walls cease to be linear to become wider approximatelyaccording to the equation:

T _(W)=0.0013n ²−0.0037n+0.13 [+ or − up to 0.02]

An embodiment of a resilient padding system is disclosed for use wherethe pad must conform to a relatively non-planar shape. This resilientpadding system also includes a substructure of a plurality of supportingresilient substructure hollow columns, each column having a column wallforming the column, and a first end and an enclosed second end. Thecolumn wall surrounds a central void, the void extending from the firstend to the enclosed second end of the column. The column wall also has across-sectional thickness that is thinner at the first end of the wallthan at the enclosed second end of the wall. The part of the wall thatabuts the first end of the column is a more collapsible zone where thecross-section of the column wall is thinner, relative to a lesscollapsible zone in a region abutting the second end of the wall wherethe cross-section is thicker.

In one embodiment at least one of the surfaces of the pad is contouredto form a non-planar surface. The pad system has a cross-sectional padthickness T that varies over the expanse of the pad and each centralvoid defined by the column walls has a height h at the column centralaxis within the cross-sectional thickness T, such that h varies over theexpanse of the pad. In addition, a surface layer with cross-sectionalthickness t extends beyond the enclosed end of each central void withinthe cross-sectional pad thickness T, such that T=t+h where the centralvoid meets t at the central axis of each column. In this embodiment, theratio of h:t may be variable and the ratio may fall within the range ofgreater than 4.0 and less than 6.0.

In some embodiments the column wall tapers, forming a frustoconicallyshaped column. A column wall will have an inside surface and an outsidesurface, and therefore in some embodiments the column wall is taperedboth inside and out, and has draft angles for both the inside surfaceand the outside surface of the wall. As the wall tapers, thecross-sectional thickness of the column wall may increase from the firstend of the column wall to the enclosed end of the column wall by apercentage within a range of greater than 184% and less than 231%.

Advantageously, in some embodiments the column wall increases inthickness to meet and form a dome at the enclosed end.

In one embodiment, for example, an embodiment suitable for a pad on theend of a rifle butt, the height of each column may increase from one endof the pad to the other, in order to contour to a the part of the bodyagainst which the rifle will rest upon firing. In this example, theheights of the columns may vary according to the quadratic functionexpressed above, where n denotes a numbering of the columns ranging fromone side of the pad to the other and the central void height h increasesfrom one side of the pad to the other. Alternatively, the equation

h=0.0116n ²−0.0362n+0.50 [+ or − up to 0.04]

may be applied. It is understood that minor variations in any of theexpressed equations and relationships are contemplated as part of thisdisclosure in order to adapt to specialized sports and body usages ofthe disclosed pads.

Additional embodiments may advantageously be used in athletic paddingwhich is used for attenuating impact stress in sports and recreationenvironments. Such padding may be attached to sporting equipment, suchas the butt end of a rifle or as pads inside a helmet, or worn attachedto the body, for example, in knee, elbow or shoulder pads, or in gloves.Thus the same technology may be formulated with varying cell shapes,dimensions and height ratios to contour to a relatively non-planar shapeprovides impact attenuation between the human body and sportingequipment, or if attached to the human body as padding at criticalareas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematics of a conventional closed cell foamcushion at rest and under load, respectively.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are pictures of disclosed embodiments of elastomericstructure, at rest and under load, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of an aspect of the disclosed pad withcertain elements exaggerated for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation of an aspect of the disclosed pad withcertain elements exaggerated for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation of an embodiment of the disclosed pad.

FIG. 6 is a graph of peak impact force vs drop height for selectedembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, the invention will be described in apreferred embodiment by reference to the numerals of the drawing figureswherein like numbers indicate like parts.

Multiple views of one embodiment of the disclosed gun pad are shown,including cross-section and other detailed views. Domed internalelastomeric cylinders with tapered walls are shown along with a top orshoulder-contacting surface.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances ofthe phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to a “column” refers to atubular shafted support structure, typically having a cylindrical orpolygonal shaft and two shaft ends. Similarly, references throughoutthis specification to a “cylinder” refers to a tubular shafted supportstructure, also with two shaft ends.

Reference throughout this specification to a “column end” refers to theset of points at which the column shaft is considered to end. A columnend maybe open or enclosed. Generally, the columns referenced in thisspecification have a central axis and the column ends are defined by theending of the column shaft at a virtual plane of intersection which isapproximately perpendicular to the central axis of the column. However,an enclosed column end may be domed, dimpled or of any other shape onthe inside surface or the outside surface of the column.

Generally, the columns referenced in this specification are hollowcolumns, having a central void surrounded by a continuous, curved“column wall” defining the shaft or curved surface of the column. Acolumn wall may be of generally consistent cross-sectional thickness orof variable cross-sectional thickness, for example relatively thicker atone end and thinner at the other end of the column.

The term “conical” is used throughout this specification to reference ashape generally described by the common advanced-geometric definition ofa cone. A cone is any three-dimensional shape that is formed by a set ofline segments connecting a common point, the apex, to all of a set ofpoints on a base, the base being in a plane that does not contain theapex. Note that the base need not be restricted to a set of pointsforming a circle; the base may be any shape, formed from any set ofpoints. For example, a cone with a polygonal base forms a pyramid, and acone with an elliptical base forms an elliptical cone.

Reference throughout this specification to a “frustoconical” shaperefers to a conical shape that has the pointed apex truncated, such thatthe basal part of the cone remains, and the cone extends from the set ofpoints forming the base of the cone to a set of points in a plane, theplane being approximately perpendicular to the central axis of the cone.

Reference throughout this specification to an “outside draft angle” andan “inside draft angle” refers to the following angles. Commonly, theperimeter of the base of a cone is called the directrix, and the linesegment between the directrix and apex is a generatrix of the lateralsurface. In the case of a hollow column which is conically-shaped with acolumn wall thickness, there will be two cones, one inside the other toform the column. Both cones approximately share a central axis. Onecone's lateral surface forms the outside lateral surface of the columnshaft, and one cone's lateral surface forms the inner lateral surface ofthe column shaft. The outside draft angle is the angle formed between ageneratrix of the outside lateral surface and the common central axis.The inside draft angle is the angle formed between a generatrix of theinner lateral surface and the common central axis.

Reference throughout this specification to “bottoming out” refers to apoint where a cushioning material or structure reaches a state whererelatively little further deformation is possible in the direction offorce.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematics of a conventional closed cell foamcushion at rest and under load, respectively. In FIG. 1B, the foamcushion shows an unstable condition as the surface deforms under theload, leading to a dangerous potential binding due to the surfacedeformation. Impact energy is absorbed by crushing the foam cells fromtop to bottom, and the material gets just gets ‘harder’ under load.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are pictures of disclosed embodiments of the elastomericstructure, at rest and under load, respectively. Note that as thestructure takes impact or load, surface deformation is minimal, there isno tendency to bind, impact energy is absorbed by ‘controlled’ bucklingor collapse of the structure (cylinder is illustrated) at a first zoneof the cylindrical structure, not at the enclosed second zone of thecylindrical structure. The material thus gets ‘softer’ under load, asthe collapsible structure continues to deform, and the structure of thepad resists ‘bottoming out’ as the load is absorbed by the second zonedeformation which is relatively more resistant to deformation.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of an embodiment of disclosed pad 100 inwhich the length of the column or cylinder has been exaggerated forillustrative purposes. Pad 100 has surface layer 110. Surface layer 110is supported by column 120, comprising a column wall 124 and a centralvoid 121. Column 120 may be any ready and appropriate shape, but regulargeometric shapes are preferred, and a cylindrical or frustoconical shapeis advantageous in ease of production, and will be discussed here as themodel for all such columns. (Except for particular discussion of thedraft and other taper angles of column 120 in the frustoconical columnmodel, for ease of reference, the column will at times typically bereferred to as a cylinder.) Column wall 124 has a column end 127, whichis advantageously a tubular end, with the hollow center opening to void121 within Column 120. Column wall 124 at column end 127 has a width d.In one embodiment the second end of the column is dome shaped and dome128 forms an enclosed end of void 121.

Column wall 124 has two zones, a first zone 105 that is in the region ofthe column end 127 and a second zone 103 that is in the region of dome128. Second zone 103 is relatively resistant to collapse, unlike firstzone 105 which is designed not only to take all of the working loadcompression, but also the initial over load collapse or deformation, andis relatively much more compressible that second zone 103. First zone105 typical compression is attended by a moderate deformation shown atpaired dotted lines 109 as a slight bulge, both outward and inward(relative to the column's central axis), as the compressional forces(illustrated by arrows 101) work to compress the elastomeric materialvertically in height and cause the material to bulge away from thewall's resting boundaries. As the load increases, either due toincreased load, or due to an impact, first zone 105 actually buckles orcollapses in severe deformation in the manner and in the directionsindicated by paired dashed lines 107 and arrow 104. The material ceasesessentially to compress or bulge further, and instead collapsesoutwardly (relative to the center axis of the column) in thecharacteristic buckled collapse shown schematically.

Second zone 103 acts mostly passively throughout both the early and thensevere compression and deformation of first zone 105. Depending onforces involved and the dimensions and properties of the rubber andcolumn, second zone 103 will exhibit only slight bulging, schematicallyrepresented by paired dotted lines 102. This difference is intentionaland while other, as yet not fully appreciated, factors may be at work,it is believed that the pronounced differential in compression effectand eventual buckling collapse (first zone 105 only) is due to asignificant difference in the geometry of zone 103 compared to zone 105.

First zone 105 starts out at column end 127 as relatively narrow incross-section, increasing in thickness until it reaches an increase inwall thickness adequate to accomplish the deformation effect describedabove. Somewhere about in this region of column wall 124 is a virtualzone boundary 106. At and above this virtual zone boundary the materialproperties, abetted by increased cross-sectional thickness, simply stopsupporting any ready compression or collapse. Above this virtualboundary, compression forces are essentially passed through to the firstzone without bulge or other deformation effect inside the second zone,until and unless the second zone collapses completely, as in a mostsevere impact on surface layer 110 of pad 100. At such time therelatively less compressible second zone 103 nonetheless comes into playto prevent ‘bottoming out’ by absorbing the extraordinary impactenergies remaining after passing them through to first zone 105. Givenenough impact force, Zone 105 will, in fact, deform as well, absorbingeven more of the impact energy.

While the schematic illustration of FIG. 3 shows gradual tapering offirst zone 105 up into second zone 103, crossing only a virtual boundary106 between the zones, other embodiments will make the boundary explicitby employing increased thickening upwards in other than gradual ortapered fashion. For instance, and not by way of limitation, second zone103 could have a sudden thickness change, perhaps even by way of athickened step at or around boundary 106, so that the increasedthickness is suddenly achieved, rather than gradually.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation of an embodiment of disclosed pad 100 inwhich the length of the column or cylinder has been exaggerated forillustrative purposes. Column 120 has width C at the enclosed end of thecolumn, just under the upper layer 110. Void 121 has an uppermost widthw, just before any dome 128. In this alternate embodiment, column 120has a stiffening rib 140 and/or a linkage or bridge 130 connecting toother columns and to the underside of surface layer 110. (See also FIG.3.) In either case, the effect of the rib 140 or link 130 is to make therelatively less collapsible zone 103 that much stiffer and so enhancethe effects (discussed for FIG. 3) for second zone 103. At least oneeffect is that, to the extent a rib 140 or link 130 is joined to column120, the column width at that point is significantly and effectivelygreater than below the rib or link, or elsewhere around the column. Therib or link optionally have a taper which may optionally end in arounded rib end or a flat end.

Column base 127 has a width d, and void opening 108 has a width W,where, for cylindrical or conical column enclosing a cylindrical orconical void, the area A of the column base is given by the formula:

A=(π/4)*((W+2d)² −W ²).

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation of an embodiment of disclosed pad 100.This embodiment is a structure of a configuration suitable, for example,for use in various types of athletic and sports padding. For example,and not by way of limitation, the pad described by FIG. 5 serves as agun pad, or shoulder pad for a rifle butt. This embodiment comprisescolumn 120, central void 121, column wall 124 and column end 127 asdiscussed above for FIG. 3. The embodiment also comprises a relativelycollapsible first zone 105 and a relatively less collapsible second zone103 of the column wall with all the impact absorbing characteristicsdiscussed above for FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, column 120 is also of a frusto-conicalshape with tapering column wall 124 and optional dome 128, as isdiscussed above for FIG. 4. The column wall 124 comprises inner andouter column wall draft angles 123 and 125. Preferably, outer draftangle 125 is greater than 5 degrees and less than 11 degrees andpreferably inner draft angle 123 is greater than 2 degrees and less than5 degrees. For nominal column heights in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 inch, apreferred draft angle will be about 10 degrees for angle 125 and about 4degrees for angle 123.

In one contemplated embodiment the surface layer 110 of the pad iscontoured to fit comfortably against the part of the human body forwhich it is designed. For example, and not by way of limitation, a padconstructed for installation on the butt end of a rifle might becontoured to fit into the shoulder, with an overall thickness T1 at theleft side of the cross-sectional elevation shown in FIG. 5 of about 1inch (indicated by paired arrows T1 at the left side of pad 100), and anoverall thickness T2 at the other end of about 1.3 inches (indicated bypaired arrows T2 at the right side of pad 100).

The elastomeric structure of FIG. 5 also has surface layer 110 with anapproximately constant thickness t, as is indicated by paired arrows t,and varying column heights h, as is exemplified by paired arrows h.Advantageously, in order to facilitate the impact attenuating andcushioning properties of pads for use in sport applications, the arrayof elastomeric cylinders would be graduated in height to fit thecontours of the surface layer 110.

In the example of a rifle butt pad as indicated in FIG. 5, the series offrustoconical shaped cylinders are advantageously graduated in heightfrom one end of the pad to the other. If a line is drawn across thecolumn ends 127, this graduation in height will maintain a constantthickness of surface layer t while following the contours required ofthe structure. In this embodiment, the circumferences of the opening 108of the cylinders remain constant. At a virtual circumference 107 withinthe shaft of column 120 (illustrated by the multiple dotted lines 107),the inner walls of the cylinder cease to be linear and begin to becurved, curving to form dome 128. A cross-sectional slice taken atcircumference 107 will become smaller with each incremental increase inheight because of the frustoconical shape of the cylinders.

For example, for a nominal contour where the overall height T increasesfrom 1 to 1.3 inches, and a constant cylinder opening at the endopposite the dome 108 of 0.445 inch diameter, the series of domedfrustoconical cylinders are graduated in height h (measured in inches)according to the following equation, where each cylinder in the seriesis numbered from 1 to n:

h=0.0116n ²−0.0362n+0.50 [+ or − up to 0.02]

Similarly, the diameter of the circular cross-section of the cylindertaken at the point where the inner walls cease to be linear (illustratedby the multiple dotted lines 107) will become narrower as the height ofthe cylinder increases and the thickness of the cylinder wall taken atthe point where the inner walls cease to be linear (illustrated by themultiple dotted lines 107) will become wider as the height of thecylinder increases.

It will be appreciated that in the case of an array of cylinders, asopposed to a linear series, cylinder heights will have to be adjusted tofit the contours of the surface layer 110 accordingly.

In FIG. 6, a graph of curves of peak impact forces vs drop height ispresented. It is different from force vs displacement curves presentedin previous disclosures. It is believed that such a graph provides morefunctionally applicable data concerning the capacity of the structuresfor absorbing impact shock which is the purpose for which they weredesigned.

For the data presented in the graph, peak impact forces (Gmax) weremeasured on three different embodiments using missile E in accordancewith ASTM procedure F355-10a. Gmax was plotted as a function of dropheight in inches. The curve is from data plotted with a pad embodimentsubstantially as described herein.

Pads are generally and advantageously made of an SBR/EPDM/natural rubberelastomeric material with the following properties: Shore A Durometer of40 to 70 (more particularly 40-50 and advantageously about 44) measuredon the surface of the mat; modulus of about 0.5 MPa to about 4 MPa, andadvantageously at about 0.69 Mpa.

Preferred substructures can be on a uniform grid or in a honey-combedconfiguration. Preferred substructures can be of circular, elliptical,or multi-sided shape from three sided to 20 sided or more. Preferredsubstructures can have a shared wall configuration without elastomericbridge linkage between the cylinders on the one hand, or canalternatively be joined to one another by elastomeric linkages.

With regard to systems and components above referred to, but nototherwise specified or described in detail herein, the workings andspecifications of such systems and components and the manner in whichthey may be made or assembled or used, both cooperatively with eachother and with the other elements disclosed herein to effect thepurposes herein disclosed, are all believed to be well within theknowledge of those skilled in the art. No concerted attempt to repeathere what is generally known to the artisan has therefore been made.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Impact and shock absorbing pads in athletic equipment requiring padding,such as rifle butt pads, helmet pads, shoulder, knee and elbow pads,gloves, and so forth, must prevent impact injury and cushion againstrepetitive impact stress.

Disclosed pads are tuned to the ideal level of compliance that researchshows maximizes impact absorption performance. Optimized performanceensures stability and support while reducing pressure on the particularbody part, reducing shock and maximizing fatigue reduction. Conventionalcompliant materials compact and get hard when they are compressed. Theunique structures disclosed herein are actually firm to the touch, butthen get softer as applied pressure is increased. Impact and shockabsorbing pads are thus adapted for use on or within many types ofsports equipment.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural features. It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, since the means and construction shown comprisepreferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is,therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within thelegitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriatelyinterpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A resilient pad system, comprising at least one pad, thepad having surfaces, the pad comprising a plurality of particularsupporting resilient substructure hollow columns, each particular columnhaving a column central axis, a column wall, a first end and an enclosedsecond end, the column wall surrounding a central void, the voidextending from the first end to the enclosed second end of the column;wherein the column wall of at least one column has a cross-sectionalthickness that is thinner at the first end of the wall than at theenclosed second end of the wall; wherein at least one of the padsurfaces is contoured to a non-planar surface that conforms to apreselected anatomical surface; wherein the pad system has across-sectional pad thickness T that conforms over the expanse of the atleast one of the pad surfaces in accordance with variation in thenon-planar surface; wherein each central void defined by the columnwalls has a height h at the column central axis within thecross-sectional thickness T, such that h varies over the expanse of thepad; and wherein a surface layer with cross-sectional thickness textends beyond the enclosed end of each central void within thecross-sectional pad thickness T, such that T=t+h.
 2. The resilient padsystem of claim 1 wherein the ratio of h:t for each column selectablyfalls within the range of greater than 4 and less than
 6. 3. Theresilient pad system of claim 1 wherein the column wall tapers, forminga frustoconically shaped column.
 4. The resilient pad system of claim 3wherein the cross-sectional thickness of the column wall increases fromthe first end of the column wall to the enclosed end of the column wallby a percentage within a range of greater than 184% and less than 231%.5. The resilient pad system of claim 3 wherein the column wall increasesin thickness to meet and form a dome at the enclosed end.
 6. Theresilient pad system of claim 3 wherein an outside draft angle of acylinder wall is greater than five degrees and less than eleven degrees.7. The resilient pad system of claim 6 wherein the outside draft angleis ten degrees.
 8. The resilient pad system of claim 3 wherein an insidedraft angle of a cylinder wall is greater than two degrees and less thanfive degrees.
 9. The resilient pad system of claim 8 wherein the insidedraft angle is four degrees.
 10. The resilient pad system of claim 1wherein at least a plurality of substructure columns are spaced apart inthe pad on a uniform grid.
 11. The resilient pad system of claim 10wherein at least two of the plurality of substructure columns in thegrid are joined to one another by elastomeric linkages.
 12. Theresilient pad system of claim 1 wherein at least a plurality ofsubstructure columns are in honeycomb configuration.
 13. The resilientpad system of claim 1 wherein a cross sectional shape of the columns isselected from the group of cross sectional shapes consisting of circularshape, elliptical shape, and multi-sided shape from three sided totwenty sided.
 14. The resilient pad system of claim 13 wherein theselected cross sectional shape is circular.
 15. A resilient pad system,comprising at least one pad, the pad comprising a plurality ofparticular supporting resilient substructure hollow columns, eachparticular column having a column central axis, a column wall, a firstend and an enclosed second end, a first zone extending from the firstend and a second zone extending from the second end, the two zonesabutting each other, the column wall surrounding a central void, thevoid extending from the first end to the enclosed second end of thecolumn; wherein the column wall of at least one column has across-sectional thickness in the first zone that is relatively uniformthroughout the zone and a cross-sectional thickness in the second zonethat relatively uniform throughout the zone, the first zone thinner thanthe second zone, and wherein at the abutment of the two zones the changein column wall thickness is relatively abrupt.
 16. The resilient padsystem of claim 15 further wherein the pad system has a cross-sectionalpad thickness T and wherein each central void defined by the columnwalls has a height h at the column central axis within thecross-sectional thickness T; and wherein a surface layer withcross-sectional thickness t extends beyond the enclosed end of eachcentral void within the cross-sectional pad thickness T, such thatT=t+h.
 17. The resilient pad system of claim 16 wherein the ratio of h:tfor each column selectably falls within the range of greater than 4 andless than
 6. 18. The resilient pad system of claim 15 wherein at least aplurality of substructure columns are spaced apart in the pad on auniform grid.
 19. The resilient pad system of claim 18 wherein at leasttwo of the plurality of substructure columns in the grid are joined toone another by elastomeric linkages.
 20. The resilient pad system ofclaim 15 wherein at least a plurality of substructure columns are inhoneycomb configuration.